In reading, writing, and talking about Real Estate, be cautious of specific words and phrases.Making everyone feel welcome is the goal. -Master, whether a bedroom, suite, or bath, suggest using 'owner' suite or 'primary' bedroom.-Family, whether describing the house's occupants or a specific room. -Walking distance, use nearby, around the corner, or .02 miles, -Great schools are a no-no. -Avoid proximity to an individual house of worship.-No longer describe a backyard as a playground. -More inappropriate words fisherman, man-cave, and she-shed.-Safe neighborhood.-His/hers closets become dual or shared closets.-Suggest not using the term Grandma's house.- Or the word perfect for anyone specific. -No more handyman specials.Let's use the right words to make everyone feel welcome. What word... 02/25/2022

Buyers are looking for different things when they are ready to move to a new home. It would be helpful when working with a Realtor®  to list all the essential desires for you and your family. Let your agent know what you are looking for, including location, property, price, and particular style.   02/24/2022

Keys! We all have and use them. Some folks even have a drawer or box full of extra keys, strange keys, unknown keys, sentimental keys, your first house key, a favorite car, and so many more. There are old trunk keys, vintage car keys, and maybe keys to that summer cottage, a lost diary, or grandma's key. Do you have a church key?Unable to throw them away? Don't. Create a wind chime, frame a few, or create a mobile for your office. Make it a  gift with a note, "you hold the key to my heart." I saw this hanging in a title company. Clever!  What are you doing with all those spare keys?It could be a new hobby or the key to beginning a small business. Are you looking for the key to your next home?Call Margaret Rome  02/23/2022

7940 Stevenson Rd Baltimore 21208 Sold & Settled  MDBC2014926 5 Bedrooms 3 1/2 Baths In 2004, I enjoyed working as the buyer agent for this beautiful property. And today, as the listing agent, I sold it. Check the date and time of our closing.   2.22.22 at 2 pm    It Is Another Twosday     It could have been a forever house, but my seller decided to move closer to family. This desirable property has nine accessible rooms on the main level, including the primary suite.   The sunroom with four sliding doors to the patio, an office with a separate entrance, a family room, and a large den allow a lot of privacy. There are two more bedrooms on the upper level, another full bath, and abundant storage—this home exudes warmth with two wood-burning fireplaces and a pellet stove.  The garage and ... 02/22/2022

 I received this question recently:Can you be successful in real estate if you don't have – or are not part of – a team?  Many people in real estate hear "team" and think of the big company, agents within a team, or a group of real estate agents who work for a mega agent.                                                                                                                                      Being a solo broker-owner, I love the way I work.   That does not mean my sellers lack any of the advantages of a team.I can call in other professionals chosen for their quality of work and service at any point in the process. Whether it's a mortgage broker, contractor, appraiser, electrician, home inspector, stager, or real estate attorney, there is an expert ready to meet the needs of m... 02/21/2022

7520 Seven Mile LaneBaltimore County 21208MLS# MDBC2003390 Seven Mile and Smith Ave Desirable location!7520 Seven Mile Lane Baltimore County 21208Sold and SettledOne lucky family has found an excellent opportunity to own this single-family home set up as two living units. The second floor has a private entrance from the large covered front porch, three bedrooms, a full bath, and a  room for either laundry, kitchen, or another bath.! These buyers see the potential to bring it back to a single-family dwelling.The main level has an eat-in kitchen, access to the deck, and a level rear-fenced yard. The First-floor bedroom( will be a playroom), A half bath, and Pella sliding glass door to the deck. Also on this first level is a dining room, living room, wood-burning fireplace, hardwood floors... 02/18/2022

February's Contest, hosted by Carol Williams and Anna Banana, suggests we share our personal and professional lives. And by doing so, see if we have a book or two inside us. A good many members have met me, read my blog, commented, or spoken with me over the past sixteen years. It would be nearly impossible for me to separate personal from professional life. When talking about our goals a few months ago while having lunch with Carol, Bridget and Andrea, it only took me a second to say I am living my life and bucket list through real estate.   Let's start with a few facts.Since 2006 when I first became a member of ActiveRain, I have logged in every day, received over three and a half million points, written over 4500 posts, and have called a member most of those days. Here is more about ... 02/17/2022

In Real Estate, as in real life, you have to be prepared.As a former RN, my training ensured me to be quick on my feet. Handle the true emergencies first. And don't forget about getting the job done!A 'SNAFU'  happened yesterday. I was all prepared to present for the Tuesday Zoom,  notes in place, ready to take the tape off my camera lens, and then it happened. I flipped over a cup of hot tea!!If you weren't sure before, I tell you that hot tea is not conducive to a working keyboard or a portable mouse. Unable to sign in to the live meeting, I grabbed my phone and at least got on in audio mode—no live zoom for me.  Here is Ed's Recap of the Zoom  Those on the call did not need to know what happened. Move forward make the best of it. Whenever you are presenting live, stuff happens. Somet... 02/16/2022

I am looking forward to this Tuesday's Zoom meeting when Bill, Cyndi, and I talk about real estate and radio. Thanks to George Souto, a great job announcing the weekly presentations, Eileen Burns for moderating, Craig Daniels for the graphics, and Debe Maxwell, CRS, who, week after week, hosts the meetings.  Note: Billy McGee, the husband of AR member Bridget "Mortgage Mama" McGee,  did the above photo. The link to Tuesday's Zoom is also on George's Post.Or Click HERE to Join     02/13/2022

 When touring properties for sale, I can see all kinds of exciting features.I just saw a kitchen with soapstone surfaces, and I loved the versatility of this luxury material. One of the counters had a chiseled 'live edge.'The island is perfect for everything you want or need to do while preparing your custom meals.If you chip it, sand it. Hot pots won't burn it, and you don't need to seal it like granite and marble. Oiling the soapstone brings out the patina and richness of the stone, but the soft "powdery" surface is also quite pleasing.And one of my very favorite features is how friendly this surface is. Whether putting out an extensive buffet or snacks and hor 'd oeuvres, the creative kitchen master can write on the surface, much like a blackboard, describing the foods or alerting th... 02/12/2022

As a listing agent, this market has been more of a challenge. There's a backup with sellers needing to find their next home to purchase before putting their home on the market.  We are seeing this fear or panic of well-qualified clients paralyzed who cannot sell before making sure there is the next home. Before moving to the next house in past years, a rent-back or a short-term rental was an option. But there is also a rental shortage. Owners using their property for rental income are selling, not renewing leases, or raising the monthly payments, forcing renters out. And that open-ended rent-back is not an option.Buyers want and need to move forward into their homes. And I have several listing appointments, and all are ready to sell. None are contingent on finding their next. Do you thi... 02/11/2022

 February-the shortest month of the year, is also Heart Healthy Month, and it is the month of love known on the 14th as Valentine's Day. Love is one thing you get more of by giving it away!It is also the perfect time to use advertising to show off the love of Real Estate.   A few hearts around the border tells the story without words. If you are looking to find a property you love and to make it your homeCall Margaret Rome   02/08/2022

Lynn Friedman quoted an interesting article about the differences between condominiums and townhouses. But there are some more points that the report did not make. Condos can be any structure. And here are some Baltimore examples:-We have townhouses that are condos.-We have condos that are single-family homes- We have zero lot lines and patio homes that are condos.-We have apartments that are condos.-We have high, low, and mid-rise buildings that are also condos. And Coops are not condos.HOA is not a CONDO, and a condo is not an HOA.And, we have communities with both an HOA (homeowner association and a condominium association. And yes, you are responsible for both fees. Take a look at More Condo Questions  Thinking of buying or selling any homeCall Margaret Rome    02/06/2022

Would you advise someone to purchase the home or condo next door? Well, here is my favorite answer, it depends. I would be asking a lot of questions such as:Are you planning to have family/friends live next door?Do your heirs think it is a good idea?Are you buying for the land or the house?Are you planning to flip it?Are you buying for investment?Will you be renting it?Will you be gutting or tearing it down?Are you looking to expand your own home and lot?What is your motivation?Do you love your neighborhood?Are you protecting who will be your neighbor?Who is encouraging you to buy?Is it a good value? And when you are selling, it is good to let your neighbors know, giving them the first right. A few years ago, I  had a listing, installed a sign, and the owners on both sides wanted the ho... 02/05/2022

Over the years, I have had the good fortune to help by mentoring other agents. And when I do get that call asking for advice about a toxic client, a deal that fell through, an agent-to-agent kindness impaired situation, a lost listing, or some other stressful situation, how do I assess the situation and give advice. Sometimes it just takes a listening ear.But for some agents, paralyzed by a loss of a transaction, they dwell on it for weeks. Unable to move on. Everyone has disappointments, and I wonder if you ever really GOI? They are the transactions you remember. And they are not the smooth, easy ones.  Some people only take on easy sure things. I remember an agent who bragged, they never had a listing that didn't sell. (A quick MLS search proved this was not so.)   How were all those ... 02/04/2022

 Did you check today's date? Pretty cool.And I didn't want to be late for my appointment. And I wasn't, and I was on time for my engagement. What time was that? Two O'Clock. So it was2 on 2.2.22 at 2 And I was finished by 2:22 PM. That's a whole lot of twos today.I hope your Twosday was fun, Too! Any day or time you are thinking about selling your homeCall Margaret Rome    02/02/2022

       It is time to have a heart-to-heart talk.   Now is the best time to sell your home. Buyers are out looking.  Get your home on the market before the Spring rush.   Need to know what to do to get your home ready?  Thinking of selling your home Call Margaret Rome Turning houses into well-loved homes.     02/01/2022

Weekly, there is this recurring question. Do you have a home to rent with an option to buy? Many agents answer, no, I don't deal with rentals. Rent To Own or Lease With An Option To PurchaseDoes it benefit the owner more than the buyer? Or is the opposite true?Maybe there are benefits for both. What is a Rent to own?An offer is made on the house to purchase with a lease to own. The price agreed upon, the buyer rents the house at a fixed amount and stipulates they have the right to purchase at the end of the lease. It is an option for the buyer. The seller cannot sell the house while the property is in that Rent To Own Contract. There may be a premium of a few hundred dollars a month that could be applied if the sale goes through...lost if they don't.  What can happen? The buyer decides ... 01/30/2022

Recently a Realtor® stated that 60 percent of home purchasers have  'buyers remorse' and feel they have not made the right decision. That figure sounds way too high!  Buyers do feel rushed with the threats of multiple offers and bidding wars.Buyer's remorse can surface after the offer, before and after the inspection, and before the final settlement. More fall-throughs have happened in the past couple of years. If a buyer is uncertain and starts making demands, it could signify their remorse. Listen carefully for what they are requesting.Recently had a family who purchased a property that seemed perfect. They did 'inspection overkill,' asked for more, and started demanding repairs, updates, and cosmetic requests. The seller agreed to each demand by bringing contractors to do repairs or ... 01/29/2022

As a Realtor®, one may say that I sell houses. But what I do is give out information and educate. Our contact info is on just about anything: websites, blogs, signs, business cards, flyers, a park bench, grocery carts, billboards, car wraps, magnets, for sale signs, and some have the info on their masks.But we hear complaints about phone, text, or email alerts. With that attitude, you are saying don't bother me!When opportunity knocks, don't complain about the noise. So what if you don't recognize the number? It could be a new buyer,  seller, or someone wanting real estate information on your listing.  What's the worst that can happen, a telemarketer, wrong number, or a spam call. These are easy enough to delete. You are judged by how you answer and how you respond. You don't get a seco... 01/27/2022